in the catbird seat
3
9.1
- idiom
- Archaic
:
en una posición privilegiada
- It is a smug look on their faces, like, and they're doing our work for us, and we're just going to sit back in the catbird seat and watch it all unfold.
- sitting in the catbird seat
It is a smug look on their faces, like, and they're doing our work for us, and we're just going to sit back in the catbird seat and watch it all unfold.
- It is a smug look on their faces, like, and they're doing our work for us, and we're just going to sit back in the catbird seat and watch it all unfold.
Examples
-
"But we're in the catbird seat....
Fiction book (1996) -
Indeed, Brazil is in the catbird seat of global powers: it can afford to modernize its defense and security establishment without being forced to make wrenching guns-versus-butter choices.
Academic text (2010) -
I think you want to sit in the catbird seat.
-
Compared to them, Bob was in the catbird seat.
Fiction book (2001) -
It was agreed that once Cal was safely in the catbird seat... I could do as I pleased.
-
Don't come down from my quote, cause if they're really in trouble, we're in the catbird seat.
-
It's The Ol' Redhead speaking here from high up in the catbird seat at Ebbets Field.
-
Why, purely because this particular ex-Miz Cathcart had managed to accomplish something, in spite of all her drinking, that put her smack dab in the catbird seat when Josh P. himself went to his reward.
Fiction book (2002) -
Compared to his competition, Tom is definitely in the catbird seat with his innovative ideas.
-
In negotiations, having the first offer often puts you in the catbird seat.
Synonyms
17
4.4
Being in control of a situation and making the decisions
3
6.3
To be in control of a group and make important decisions
In a position of power or importance in a group
Antonyms
How Advantageous
- Archaic
3
9.1
9
3.9
218
3.6
- US
34
3.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
Although 'seat' can mean a position or office, the modifier 'catbird' is obscure and the idiom 'in the catbird seat' is a culturally specific metaphor whose advantageive sense cannot be derived from the literal meanings of its parts. A B1 learner who knows the words individually would not reliably infer 'in a position of advantage,' so this expression behaves as an opaque idiom.
Etymology
In the catbird seat may come from the catbird, a small bird that likes to sit high and look down. Because the bird is safe and can see everything, someone 'in the catbird seat' is 'in a position of advantage'.